Review article                                                                              

UDC: 613.96:004.738.5

doi:10.5633/amm.2011.0412

 

 

The Internet-based health information and adolescents

 

Biljana Kocić^1,2 and Branislav Petrović^1,2

 

University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia¹

Public Health Institute Niš, Serbia²

 

 

The Internet is presently one of the most dynamic communication tools and is expanding fast. Globally, adolescents are active Internet users. Internet is also emerging as a significant source of health information and an attractive medium for the health promotion and delivery of helth education among adolescents. The advantages of Internet-based applications over traditional approaches are numerous, especially when considering privacy issues, cost-effectiveness, number of users, data collection and information update. In view of previous researches and present dynamics of development in electronic communications, it seems beyond doubt that the Internet has a great potential to be a useful tool for delivering health prevention and health educational programs among adolescents as well as answers for sensitive and private questions asked online. This method of contemporary Public health services is feasible for reaching general population, and particularly seems suitable for programs aimed at adolescents. Bearing in mind the importance of the Internet as a public health tool, it needs to be constantly re-examined and improved in light on available data.. Acta Medica Medianae 2011;50(4):69-73.  

 

Key words: adolescents, Internet, health information, health education, health promotion